Virtua Fighter Crossroads Reveals Lion’s Son, Lionel Rafale
Virtua Fighter Crossroads has revealed its next fighter, Lionel Rafale, and there’s a familiar name behind that familiar fighting style. Before the reveal, the teaser had us thinking Lion Rafale was returning. With Pai…
Virtua Fighter Crossroads has revealed its next fighter, Lionel Rafale, and there’s a familiar name behind that familiar fighting style. Before the reveal, the teaser had us thinking Lion Rafale was returning. With Pai Chan and Wolf back, hints at Akira showing his face, a mysterious killer, and our new protagonist, Cielo, the roster reveals have been trickling out slowly. The latest teaser on Twitter showed a blonde-haired man sporting a bit of a mushroom cut, with a woman beside him and a few champagne bottles.
All signs pointed to Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu practitioner and ’90s boy band wannabe Lion Rafale. Lion was introduced in Virtua Fighter 2 alongside Drunken Fist master Shun Di. The man is a master of pokes, with quick strikes and possibly the best French accent ever. Since the game takes place in the future, and Pai Chan was already shown with a few more years on her, an older Lion seemed possible.
In a twist many might not have seen coming, it’s actually his son. Lion grew up and had a kid, and apparently gave him everything, including his fighting style. Released today, the new gameplay trailer introduces Lionel Rafale, who seems to be following in his father’s footsteps, or living in his shadow, in both wealth and combat ability.
AdvertisementThe bigger surprise is that Lionel actually sounds French. SEGA tended to give Virtua Fighter characters English or Japanese voiceovers, depending on where they were from. RGG seems to be taking a different direction, going the extra mile for authenticity compared to the series’ AM2 forefathers.
A mysterious young martial artist named Lionel Rafale has arrived in the city of Vilasapara. A highly skilled fighter capable of outclassing Cielo in a street fight, he is a force to be reckoned with. But what is his true reason for coming to this city?
Lionel sure came at Cielo like a freight train after that clean hit. Some of Lion’s techniques are recognizable, including a particular throw or two. We’ll look to SEGA to reveal more about him in the coming weeks.
AdvertisementVirtua Fighter Crossroads is set to release for PS5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC in 2027.
sega Virtua Fighter RGG Studio Virtua Fighter Crossroads Lionel Rafale